How to Get Volcanic Key Prospecting Guide

The volcanic key is your ticket to unlocking the hidden chamber beneath the Prospecting lighthouse. Without it, you can’t access the maze, claim the fossilized shovel and pan, or discover rare lore and items.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know—where to dig, how to improve your chances, and what tools and strategies will help you farm volcanic keys efficiently. Also check out our Prospecting Codes and Beginner Guide for new players!

What Is the Volcanic Key?

The volcanic key is a special drop found only by prospecting in the Magma Furnace area. Once you’ve unearthed one, you can unlock a trap door in the lighthouse and explore a secret maze filled with unique rewards. Each key is single-use, so if you want to revisit the hidden chamber, you’ll need to farm another.

Step-by-Step Guide to Farming the Volcanic Key

1. Unlock the Magma Furnace Zone Use your map or fast-travel menu to reach the Magma Furnace region. If you haven’t unlocked it yet, progress through the main story until the furnace becomes available.
2. Equip a High-Tier Shovel Choose the best shovel you own—higher dig strength and speed let you clear tiles faster and cover more ground. If you have the Dragon Flame or any upgraded shovel, equip it now.
3. Head to the Key Spawn Spot In the Magma Furnace, look for the small crater marked by a darker patch of soil near the central lava pool. This is the primary spawn location for volcanic keys.
4. Start Prospecting Stand with your shovel aimed at that spot and hold the dig key. Each dig attempt has a small chance to yield a volcanic key. Be prepared to spend several minutes—or longer—digging.
5. Collect the Key Once a key appears, click to pick it up. It will automatically go into your inventory under “Special Keys.”
6. Verify and Store Open your inventory to confirm the volcanic key is there. Store it safely—you’ll need it at the lighthouse.

Tips to Improve Your Drop Rate

• Use Luck-Boosting Gear Equip any items or pets that increase your prospecting luck. Even a small boost raises the drop chance over long digging sessions.
• Clear Adjacent Tiles Dig around the spawn spot in a spiral pattern. Occasionally the key will spawn on the very edge of the mark rather than the center.
• Dig Faster, Rest Less Use a shovel with 100% or higher dig speed so you can cycle through attempts quickly. The more digs per minute, the higher your cumulative chance.
• Join an Active Server Other players don’t compete for the same key spawn. However, active servers tend to stay loaded in memory, reducing teleport lag and improving responsiveness.
• Stay Patient and Persistent Volcanic keys are rare. Expect to dig dozens of times before you find your first one. Take breaks, track your time, and celebrate when you finally unearth the key.

Farming the volcanic key may take patience in Prospecting, but the rewards waiting behind the lighthouse trap door make it worth the effort. With this guide’s tips—right shovel, focused digging spot, and luck-boosting gear—you’ll be exploring the secret maze in no time. Gather your key, unlock hidden mysteries, and claim those fossilized treasures before everyone else beats you to them. Good luck, prospectors!